Pros

Cons

Inconsistent snowfall

Lacks intermediate terrain compared to Snowmass and Buttermilk

Far from a major international airport

Quite an expensive ski vacation

Overall

4.4

Aspen Highlands is reputed with Colorado's best steep, big-mountain, in bounds skiing. Highland Bowl being the highlight, but here so much more to this mountain. You start your ski day on the Exhibition high speed quad to mid mountain - the Merry-Go-Round. From here ride the Loge Peak lift to the highly scenic summit to ski beautiful groomers like Meadows and Kandahar or drop down off the ridge to steeper less manicured Garmisch, St Moritz and Chamonix. The Cloud 9 Chair serves more blues like Gunbarrel and Grand Prix, and more edgy Moment Chutes and Olympic Bowl. Glade skiers will love the steep snow-filled trees of Deep Temerity.

Snowmass Village (8-10 mi)

For beginners

There's no beginner terrain at Aspen Highlands but Buttermilk is a beginner's mountain just a short 3 mi drive or shuttle bus away!

For intermediates

Intermediates will have a decent amount of terrain to explore here. Warm up with a few laps on the Exhibition lift to get a feel of the mid to lower half of the mountain. Then hop aboard Cloud 9 lift to take on some of our favorites including Gunbarrel and Deane's where you can try out some powder skiing before easily returning back onto the usually groomed main run. Otherwise, Scarlett's Run is great if you love the bumps!

For experts

With endless options for advanced but mostly experts, it's tough picking some of our favorite runs at Aspen Highlands. Besides the infamous Highlands Bowl, check out the the Stagecoach area under the Deep Temerity lift.

Insider tips

Find freshies

Off-piste between the glades and in the bowls are the best spots to catch some freshies! Since most of these are rated as expert terrain, they don't get tracked out quickly. Be sure to check out the runs off the Deep Temerity lift for some fresh powder!

Ditch the crowds

Besides on Saturdays, Aspen Highlands doesn't have a huge amount of crowds. Beware most skiers will take the Exhibition lift in the morning as it serves as a gateway to the upper mountain and the other lifts there.

Non skiers

Non-skiers won't have a problem finding things to do here. The town of Aspen is infamous for its nightlife while during the day there are endless activities such as ice skating, dog-sledding, yoga and so much more! If you're lucky enough to be here in January then be sure to check out the Winter X Games or the Wintersköl Festival.

Families

With no beginner terrain at Aspen Highlands, families with less experience or with little ones might want to opt for nearby Buttermilk and its family-friendly atmosphere and mellow terrain. Otherwise for the more experienced gang, Aspen Highlands is fantastic with a ton of runs ending at Merry-Go-Round restaurant, making it easy to meet up.

4 / 5

Aspen Highlands is where it's at on the deepest of days. Tourists beware, you can't hang!! Steep and deep is how we like it. Hike the bowl for some powder laps!

Very Good!

4 / 5

Oct 18, 2017

CWChad W.

Hiking up Highlands Bowl(or skinning it if you are a boss) provides some incredible lines on a powder day. Steeple Chase has some beautiful moguls with the steeps also. Fun tree runs if you look for them

Superb!

5 / 5

Oct 11, 2017

JCJordan C.

Aspen Highlands is an awesome mountain to go to when there is a fresh powder day! Had the best day of riding in my life with 18” of snow the night before and night of. They don’t have a ton of runs compared to Snowmass but it is definitely work checking out! Also, going to the peak is an experience in itself!

Very Good!

4 / 5

Oct 07, 2017

JJason

Great locals mountain. Not for beginners and honestly not ideal for snowboarding since most runs will have you either heel side or toe side most of the way, but the bowl is worth hiking for.

Superb!

5 / 5

Oct 09, 2013

DDoug

Large mountain with varied terrain. Not overcrowded. Everything I need within a short walk and reasonably priced.

Superb!

5 / 5

Mar 29, 2013

JJohn

The terrain. Highlands bowl. The cruise runs. Deception. This area has it all. I do miss 5 towers. I have skied all over the rockies, both US and Canada, Zermatt SW, and I always come home to the highlands. As a mid-west skier, I always find great snow, good food, and a great value. The area has changed in the last 30 years, but the skiing has... More

Very Good!

4 / 5

Jul 22, 2012

LLisa

This mountain offers a variety of terrain where the whole family can be challenged.

Superb!

5 / 5

Apr 07, 2008

JJohn

The terrain. Highlands bowl. The cruise runs. Deception. This area has it all. I do miss 5 towers. I have skied all over the rockies, both US and Canada, Zermatt SW, and I always come home to the highlands. As a mid-west skier, I always find great snow, good food, and a great value. The base area has changed in the last 30 years, but the skiing has... More